Accountant

Human Rights Watch, Inc.; New York (NY); On-site; USD 80,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Human Rights Watch, Inc. is seeking an Accountant in the Finance Division to support global bank reconciliations and multi-entity accounting across US and international entities.

The role emphasizes GAAP/IFRS compliance, journal entries, and fixed assets management within a nonprofit context. Based in a US office (preferably New York or Washington, DC), you will collaborate with Operations Administrators, auditors, and cross‑functional teams to ensure accurate ledgers and timely close, while

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field.
• Minimum 3 years of accounting or nonprofit finance experience.

Responsibilities

• Prepare 80 monthly bank reconciliations across 22 offices internationally and adjustments to bank accounts.
• Post journal entries related to bank activity.
• Maintain and update the Global Fixed Assets register and depreciation schedules.
• Reconcile FAM to the balance sheet and income statement for external auditors.
• Assist with quarter and year-end close processes and AP tracking.
• Liaise with auditors on fixed assets questions and internal controls.

Skills

Bank reconciliations

GAAP knowledge

IFRS knowledge

Excel

NetSuite

General ledger

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

Tools

Financial systems

Job description

Job Title and Location

Accountant, Finance Division – Multiple Locations Considered – Application Deadline: October 11th, 2026.

Human Rights Watch ("HRW") is seeking an Accountant to support the Finance Division by facilitating our global bank reconciliation processes. HRW has 27 entities and branches outside of the US and a portfolio of multiple bank accounts, and this position will support both the Global Accounting team and the local Operations Administrators.

This full‑time position will be based in one of HRW’s US offices, preferably New York or Washington DC, and will report to the Associate Director, based in New York. The successful candidate will need to work from the office on a needed basis.

Responsibilities

• Prepare 80 monthly bank reconciliations across 22 Offices internationally and adjustments to the individual bank accounts based on GAAP and IFRS guidelines for US and international entities;
• Partner with a team of 17 Operations Administrators on outstanding reconciliation issues and help them when issues or discrepancies arise, which will require detailed understanding of core accounting principles and experience reconciling complex multi‑currency discrepancies across global accounts.;
• Prepare and post journal entries related to bank activity;
• Work with Operations Administrators and when needed, provide training on bank pre‑reconciliations.
• Ensure timely completion of reconciliations in line with close deadlines;
• Balance Sheet and Income Statement GL account analysis including but not limited to accumulated depreciation, depreciation expenses, assets and other GL expense accounts to ensure correct data categorization for Fixed Assets
• Maintain and update the Global Fixed Assets register, record asset additions, disposals, transfers and reclassifications;
• Liaise with IT in tracking capital work in progress and ensure timely capitalization;
• Preparation of all depreciation schedules for different entities for each of the local audits as requested including but not limited to the year‑end global fixed assets schedule;
• Running and posting monthly depreciation in FAM (Fixed Assets Module) in NetSuite
• Reconcile FAM to the BS, Income Statement and Global schedule for external auditors.
• Act as the main contact with the auditors concerning fixed assets questions.
• Manage the updating and proper archiving of all data and relevant systems such as Salesforce, SharePoint, OneDrive;
• Support with quarter and year‑end close processes;
• Help with the creation of an AP tracker (expenses paid);
• Assist with accounts payable and be the backup person for the accounting officer;
• Partner with the Associate Director to provide advice on process and internal control improvement opportunities, as needed;
• Assist with other administrative duties and projects as needed; and
• Perform other tasks as may be required

Qualifications

Education: A bachelor’s degree, or equivalent working experience in Accounting, Finance, Business or equivalent qualification or work experience is required.

Experience: A minimum of three (3) years of experience in accounting or non‑profit finance is required.

Related Skills And Knowledge

• Experience working within an organization with a complex structure across multiple global locations is highly desirable.
• Proven track record of aspects of general accounting, including journal entries, bank reconciliations, account analysis, general understanding of accounting principles, and other accounting functions, is
• Experience in general ledger systems, policies, and internal controls related to accounting and finance is required.
• Proficiency in a computer‑based accounting system and Excel is required; prior experience with not‑for‑profit software such as NetSuite is highly
• Analytical, problem solving and creative skills and the ability to exercise sound judgment are required.
• Excellent time‑management skills and the ability to prioritize tasks while maintaining attention to detail are required.
• Interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate well at all levels of the organization and with staff at remote locations are required.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills in English is required.
• Prior work experience in nonprofit/NGO financial operations is

Other

Candidates should possess valid US work authorization and should not require sponsorship in the future; HRW cannot guarantee the ability to sponsor work authorization for this role.

Salary and Benefits

HRW seeks exceptional applicants and offers competitive compensation and employer‑paid benefits. The salary range for this role is USD 80,000 – 85,000.

Human Rights Watch is strong because it is diverse. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. Human Rights Watch does not discriminate on the basis of disability, age, gender identity and expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or criminal record. We welcome all kinds of diversity. Our employees include people who are parents and nonparents, the self‑taught and university educated, and from a wide span of socio‑economic backgrounds and perspectives on the world. Human Rights Watch is an equal opportunity employer.

Human Rights Watch is an international human rights monitoring and advocacy organization known for its in‑depth investigations, its incisive and timely reporting, its innovative and high‑profile advocacy campaigns, and its success in changing the human rights‑related policies and practices of influential governments and international institutions.